Buzz
Longmen Cave is a renowned Buddhist wonder in China and worldwide. This site has captivated numerous visitors with its uniqueness. It is a famous complex of cave art. Exploring here, you will be amazed and astonished by what you see. With over 400 years of construction, this destination promises surprising experiences.
About Longmen Cave
Longmen Cave is located in Hubei Province, China. It lies 12 km from the city of Luoyang. This ancient cave contains over 100,000 Buddhist statues carved into countless caves, even on the limestone cliffs protruding above the Yangtze River.
This is one of the four most famous caves in this country, ranked alongside Mogao Cave, Maijishan Cave, and Vanku Cave. Among them, Longmen Cave stands out for its splendid carvings. This project holds immense significance for the world's art of carving. That's why UNESCO has recognized it as a World Cultural Heritage Site.
An extraordinary Buddhist project with many mysterious caves (Image Source: Collected)
This cave showcases the incredible artistic creativity of ancient people. According to research, the sizes of the statues in the cave vary, ranging from as small as 2.5 cm to as tall as 17 meters. The artworks are distributed across 2,345 cave niches.
The temples within Longmen Cave preserve a wealth of historical documents. These documents cover music, art, religion, medicine, calligraphy, and more. About 60% of the rock caves were built during the Tang Dynasty, 40% during the Northern Wei Dynasty. The remaining 10% were constructed during other periods.
Exploring the History of Longmen Cave
Longmen Cave was constructed around 1400 years ago, in 493 AD. Longmen translates to “Dragon Gate”. These caves are filled with Buddhist statues and inscriptions, providing a deeper insight into the politics, culture, and art of the Northern Wei and Tang dynasties.
In addition to the mentioned statues, the cave also contains 2,800 inscriptions. These inscriptions are carved into the rock walls and were made during the Northern Wei period. The characters are written in a graceful and upright calligraphic style, with varying sizes. The lines of text are arranged in an artistic manner.
These sculptures are incredibly skillful and delicate (Image Source: Collected)
Over time, some structures here have suffered damage. Archaeologists are now using 3D technology to recreate those images. Scientists are also employing digital scanning to generate 3D maps of Longmen Cave. In the future, this site will surely become more well-known to tourists.
What Makes Longmen Cave Special?
If you ever book a tour to China and visit Longmen Cave, take the time to explore this place. The remarkable caves with numerous sculpted statues will leave you amazed. These masterpieces were entirely created by previous generations. You'll have the opportunity to both pilgrimage and appreciate these artistic works.
1. Codong Cave
Codong Cave dates back to the reign of the Northern Wei Emperor Xiaowen. He had it carved by artisans to commemorate his grandmother. Here, you'll find over 1,000 walls and 800 inscriptions, making this cave the most fascinating one in the complex.
This clearly reflects the sculptural style of the Northern Wei era. The most prominent feature here is the statue of Buddha Shakyamuni and Bodhisattva in the central area. Most precious are the inscriptions detailing the sculptor's name and the completion date. It also explains the purpose behind the statue's creation.
Codong Cave with its ancient Buddha statue (Image source: Collection)
This has significantly contributed to the study of calligraphy, particularly the art of sculpting during that period. Codong is the earliest carved cave among the Longmen Caves. Therefore, this cave plays a very special role and significance in research and tourism.
2. Don Medicine Cave
Don Medicine Cave within the Longmen Caves complex is equally intriguing. Upon entering, you'll find walls covered with inscriptions. These inscriptions include over 140 prescriptions for various medical conditions, ranging from mild to severe and urgent cases.
Interior view of the cave with structures bearing the imprint of time (Image source: Collection)
In the 10th century, a Japanese scholar visited here. He copied 95 prescriptions from this cave. Later, he incorporated them into Japan's medical encyclopedia of Chinese medicine. This greatly benefited China's medical field and somewhat reflected the pace of medical development in ancient times.
3. Tan Yang Cave
Tan Yang Cave is one of the exemplary structures within the Longmen Caves. This cave was commissioned by Emperor Xuanwu to honor his parents, Emperor Xiaowen and Empress Wenzhao. It stands as a prime example of Northern Wei craftsmanship.
The construction of this site took a whopping 24 years to complete. Tan Yang Cave boasts the longest period of carving. Within the cave are 11 large Buddha statues, including the statue of Sakyamuni Buddha. The facial expressions on the statue are incredibly natural and graceful. In front of the Buddha statue are two male lion statues, exuding a majestic aura. Alongside them are two disciples and two Bodhisattvas standing on the left and right sides, respectively.
The sculptures are intricately carved with vivid and lifelike details (Image source: Collection)
The cave also features numerous other sculptures. For example, statues of disciples standing and listening to Buddhist scriptures, statues of celestial fairies soaring to the top of the cave... Each sculpture is meticulously crafted with intricate and graceful lines. The vivid realism leaves visitors in awe. It could be said that this is a masterpiece of Northern Wei sculptural art.
4. Myriad Buddha Cave
Myriad Buddha Cave is a well-known structure within the Longmen Caves complex. The cave houses up to 15,000 small Buddha statues, a number that astonishes listeners. Each statue is only about 4 cm tall. The statues are depicted in a sitting posture and are engraved within the grid cells covering the entire statue. This cave is considered the most magnificent within the Longmen Caves complex.
Countless small Buddha statues are created here (Image source: Collection)
5. Phoenix Fairy Cave
Phoenix Fairy Cave is the largest cave within the Longmen Caves cluster. This structure represents the stone carving style of the Tang Dynasty. Both the width and length of the cave exceed 30 meters. The clusters of carvings inside the cave are executed with meticulous precision, craftsmanship, and perfection.
The most prominent feature is undoubtedly the statue of Buddha Shakyamuni. The statue stands at an impressive height of 17 meters. It portrays a serene facial expression, with a gentle smile on the lips. The robust and graceful figure appears incredibly lifelike. The compassionate gaze from His eyes down to the visitors evokes a sense of inner peace.
Stepping into this cave, you will feel as if the Buddhas are casting their compassionate eyes upon all beings (Image source: Collection)
On either side of the statue are groups of disciples and Bodhisattvas, as well as celestial kings. Looking at them, you will clearly perceive that each statue possesses different personalities. This cave was dedicated by Emperor Caozong of the Tang Dynasty and Empress Wu Zetian to honor their ancestors.
6. Qianxi Temple
Qianxi Temple is a structure within the Longmen Caves cluster. This temple was built in the early Tang Dynasty. It is known for the stream flowing around the statues. The cave is 9 meters wide and 7 meters deep. It is a place well worth exploring.
Images depicting carvings of various Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, in all sizes (Image source: Collection)
Inside the temple are 7 statues. Among them, the main Buddha statue is Amitabha Buddha. The statue is carved with a height of about 7.38 meters. The face is sculpted round and full, looking extremely benevolent. And the most prominent statue that attracts the most attention here is the statue of Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta. This is also the most beautiful Buddha statue built in the Tang Dynasty.
7. Kanjingsi Cave
This is the largest cave located in the eastern part of the Longmen Caves cluster. Unlike most other caves, this place does not have large Buddha statue groups. Instead, there is a procession of Arhats with sizes resembling real people.
The carved statues here will surprise you with the skill and cleverness of ancient craftsmen (Image source: Collection)
This 'parade' is carved along the circumference of the cave. Each figure has different expressions and is sculpted in a sensual style. The high level of detail and perfection of this masterpiece will surely surprise you.
The insights shared above will somewhat help you have an enjoyable trip. Longmen Caves is truly an extraordinary religious masterpiece. If you're traveling to China, you can't miss this wonderful destination. Depending on your preferences, you can book a tour or travel independently. If you prefer to book a tour, contact Mytour via hotline Mytour!
